Lupus is an unassuming constellation whose identify means wolf in Latin. The astronomer Ptolemy named Lupus and 47 different constellations within the 2nd century CE. Lupus is boxed in by two bigger, brighter and higher recognized constellations: Scorpius and Centaurus.
The best way to discover Lupus the Wolf
Lupus is positioned south of the ecliptic. If you wish to see it, you’ll must be within the Southern Hemisphere or southward of Florida within the Northern Hemisphere. April by means of September are the perfect months to identify Lupus. The Wolf sits beside the constellation Norma the Carpenter’s Sq.. Scorpius the Scorpion is likely one of the noticeable constellations that border Lupus, and Centaurus lies on the alternative facet.
The celebrities in Lupus are dim; due to this fact, you might need to hint out the types of the Scorpion and Centaur first. Then look towards the darkish patch of sky between them. Lupus and Norma each reside right here: Lupus has brighter stars and sits farther north than Norma.
Lupus seems vaguely just like the wolf it represents. Plus. from the Northern Hemisphere, you might solely see the top of the Wolf close to Scorpius. From the south, Lupus shall be near overhead on June evenings.
Stars of the Wolf
The primary stars in Lupus are largely 2nd and third magnitude. The celebrities close to the pincers of Scorpius type a triangle that marks the top of Lupus the Wolf. These stars are Eta Lupi, 440 light-years away, Theta Lupi at a distance of 410 light-years, and Chi Lupi, 470 light-years.
4 stars mark the curve of the Wolf’s physique: Gamma Lupi at a distance of 420 light-years, Delta Lupi at 880 light-years and Beta Lupi at 383 light-years. Final is the brightest star in Lupus, magnitude 2.29 Alpha Lupi at a distance of 460 light-years.
Two brighter stars appear to hold down from Beta Lupi and mark the entrance leg of the wolf. Nonetheless, these stars are categorised as a part of Centaurus the Centaur.
In case you scan the boundaries of the constellation Lupus with a telescope, you’ll discover many double stars and star clusters. Though Lupus is juxtaposed on the Milky Way, it doesn’t have many vibrant deep-sky observing targets for binocular customers.
Backside line: Lupus the Wolf is a constellation that lies between Scorpius and Centaurus. You must be farther south on the globe to see the Wolf.